 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Statistical
data
Statistical data are often purely indicative as trade classification
systems are not sufficiently detailed to provide information on a very
specific product item. For example, under the Harmonized System (HS), the
product description for a relatively straightforward product such as sesame
seeds includes whole, broken, crushed, husked or shelled sesame seeds (see
Product description). The statistics, therefore, cover all five forms of
the product and do not provide detailed information on each item traded.
Particular attention should therefore be paid to the interpretation of
statistical data provided in a market brief. Whenever statistical data
are likely to be misinterpreted, they should be supplemented with a short
commentary under the section "Market characteristics". Detailed and up-to-date production statistics are not always available. In this case, it is better to omit this section rather than present data that refer to a general product group or are too old. On the other hand, it is important to indicate whether there is local production of the product and if this is increasing or decreasing. This is necessary in order to determine both the current and future role and share of imports in local consumption patterns. A list of the main local producers is also useful as exporters could explore the possibilities of entering a business arrangement with them (e.g. joint ventures).
Primary Products For data on food production see the site of the
Food
and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations For data on mineral production, check the sites below: The United Nations Industrial Development Organization
UNIDOprovides industrial statistics at 3- and 4-digit level of the International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC). For monthly data on production of selected products see
UN Monthly Bulletin of Statistics.
The Statistical
Abstract of the United States provides historical data on different sectors of the US economy as well as a guide to Foreign Statistics Abstracts. Imports: Information on the evolution of imports, supported by
statistics (both in terms of value and quantity) covering the last three
or five year period is an important indicator of recent import patterns
and future trends. An exporter is unlikely to target a market where imports
are declining but is likely to revise his/her marketing strategies and
focus on those markets where demand is increasing.
Exports: The presence of exports is generally an indication of
strong local production. However, it should be kept in mind that figures
shown under this heading may also include re-exports in the absence of
any local production. For example, a cold-climate country indicating exports
of an exclusively tropical product is generally a clear indication of re-exports.
Therefore, drawing conclusions based on statistical data alone may be misleading.
Examples:
World Imports of Sesame Seeds
Markets 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 V Q V Q V Q V Q V Q World Exports of Sesame Seeds
Markets 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 V Q V Q V Q V Q V Q The major importing countries are Japan, the European Union, the Republic
of Korea, the United States, and Egypt. The origin of imports in these
markets vary substantially. Japan imports sesame seeds mainly from China;
the United States from Central America; the European Union from India and
the Sudan; the Republic of Korea from the Sudan and China (see annex I
for detailed statistics). The producing countries are large consumers of
sesame seeds, mainly processed as cooking oil, and only part of their production
is exported. In 1997 India exported 18.3% of its total production, the
Sudan 25.6%, Myanmar 15.9% and China 7.3%.
The following sites are also of particular interest: In addition, the following printed sources are excellent reference
material.
Aggregated trade statistics: Regional trade statistics: Product specific trade statistics: Only the use of the same or compatible trade classification systems
for production and trade statistics allows the calculation of apparent
consumption:
(Production + Imports) - Exports = Apparent Consumption The result is simply an indicator of the size of a market and should
not in itself be the basis for formulating a marketing strategy or for
decision-making. The import potential of a developing market, for
example, is determined more on the basis of market access conditions (tariffs
and other trade control measures) than on the volume of imports.
This section identifies the principal supplier countries of a product
in a given import market. It provides the exporter with information on
his/her competitors both at the international and regional levels. It is,
therefore, extremely useful to list the main origins of imports as well
as the respective shares of the major supplier countries in terms of volume
or value, depending on the product. For data resources, see
Foreign Trade Statistics.
Selected Commercial Databases for Trade Promotion
International
Trade Centre, Palais des Nations,
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Tel.:
+4122 730 01 11 Fax:
+4122 733 44 39
E-mail:
mas@intracen.org
1. Production data
For data on forest products, check the sites below:
FAO Forestry databases
UNECE Timber Committee
International Timber Trade Organization (ITTO)
Links to other timber sites
Mineral Commodity Summaries. Published on an annual basis, this report is the earliest US Government publication to furnish estimates covering nonfuel mineral industry data. Data sheets contain information on the domestic industry structure, Government programs, tariffs, world production, reserves, and 5-year salient statistics for over 90 individual minerals and materials.
Manufactured Products
2. Foreign trade statistics
(Value: US$ Million; Quantity: 1000 Metric Tons)
Total Imports (World)
278
398
370
445
510
465
587
551
462
424
Of which :
JAPAN
72
118
94
141
131
140
147
145
122
152
EUROPEAN UNION
41
45
56
52
81
63
98
78
73
78
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
29
53
61
72
44
42
67
68
52
65
U.S.A.
38
37
47
41
54
39
71
47
48
43
EGYPT
7
11
40
35
45
39
45
46
Source: COMTRADE database, United
Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
(Value:US$ Million; Quantity: 1000 Metric Tons)
Total Exports (World)
278
398
370
445
510
465
587
551
462
524
Of which:
INDIA
20
33
24
30
58
58
89
88
91
110
SUDAN
28
53
53
68
59
59
88
87
67
87
GUATEMALA
30
30
39
33
59
42
58
36
54
53
CHINA
79
132
88
109
122
114
131
124
42
39
MYANMAR
21
45
37
77
38
54
27
39
31
55
Source: COMTRADE database, United
Nations Statistics Division (UNSD)
* Data concerning Guatemala should be read with caution as import +
production figures do not match with total world imports from Guatemala.
The International Trade Centre provides four helpful tools
for the collection and interpretation of trade statistics:
PC-TAS
provides statistical series on CD-ROM for 1993-1997 with five-year time-series and trend analyses based on the COMTRADE database of the UN Statistical Division;
World Trade Analyzer
Detailed commodity statistics:
3. Apparent consumption
4. Main origins of imports
Sources of information:
References for International Statistics
United Nations Statistical Division
Statistical Agencies in the UN/ECE Region
Data Service Inform